The Plants and Animals of Crete

Introduction to the Plants and Animals of Crete

Crete has a rich and varied flora and fauna, with many plants and animals found nowhere else. The largest of the Greek islands, it owes this variety to its position, its climate and its range of altitude and terrain, from beaches to high mountains.

The island suits nature lovers on a walking holiday. Many visitors also come for mountain climbing, trekking, hiking or biking, and for bird watching, painting or scuba diving holidays.

Plants of Crete (Flora)

Dittany

Dittany (Origanum dictamnus), called dictamo or erontas in Crete, grows wild only in the mountains and gorges of Crete. Hippocrates praised it for its medicinal properties, and Cretans still use it today to make Dittany of Crete tea.

Cretans consider it a highly therapeutic plant, and it is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. It is named after Mount Dikti, the reputed birthplace of Zeus, where it grows wild. Our page on dittany of Crete tells more of its story. Many other herbs grow wild throughout Crete and are used both in the Cretan Diet and for therapeutic reasons.

Cretan Plane Tree

The evergreen Cretan Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis var. cretica) is another plant unique to Crete. These large trees often stand in village squares, giving shade to the locals.

Most plane trees are deciduous, but this rare variety keeps its leaves, and around 50 examples have been recorded on Crete. The most famous is the Plane Tree of Gortys, which appears in Greek mythology.

Zeus was said to have made love to Europa under this plane tree, and it has kept its leaves green all through the winter ever since. The tree stands at the rear of the Gortys archaeological site.

Flowers of Crete

Crete’s wild flowers bloom in great variety across the island, and spring is the most spectacular season. In spring the mountains, plains, woods and even the seashores fill with colour.

Wild orchids are a highlight, including rare and endemic species. Pink Cistus (rock roses) colour the rocky hillsides, and the Field Gladiolus brightens the olive groves. In late summer the white Sea Daffodil flowers in the sand of the beaches.

Wild Flowers of Crete by Vangelis Papiomitoglou is the handbook we recommend for identifying Cretan wild flowers, with a photograph and description of each flower. Our guide to the wild flowers of Crete describes many more.

Animals of Crete (Fauna)

The fauna of Crete is as diverse as its flora, with many endemic and rare species of bird, mammal and marine life.

For Scuba Divers

The Sea of Crete to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south hold a wide range of marine life. Divers in Crete can see groupers, octopus, moray eels, salema, banded bream, stingrays, sea hares, red and black scorpionfish, schools of barracuda and sea horses, along with sponges, seashells and many kinds of sea anemone. Our scuba diving in Crete guide lists dive sites and dive centres around the island.

For Sailors

Dolphins (delfinia) have a long association with Crete, and Minoan frescoes at Knossos show them. On the south coast, boat trips from Paleochora go out to spot dolphins, and whales are occasionally seen in this part of the Libyan Sea.

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on certain beaches in Crete.

Greek and international law protect sea turtles, their nests, eggs and hatchlings, so take great care on nesting beaches during the breeding season. Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and, more rarely, Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), both endangered species, are also seen in Cretan waters.

For Birdwatchers

A bird watching holiday on Crete gives a good chance to see some of Europe’s rarest birds of prey. The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), which breeds in the Cretan mountains, stand out among them. Griffon Vultures and Buzzards are also easy to spot.

Sardinian and Cetti’s Warblers, Crested Larks, Swallows, Kingfishers, Hoopoes, Goldfinches and Chaffinches are common on Crete, so pack your binoculars.

For Walkers

Walkers in Crete find many areas of natural beauty to explore, on a walking, climbing, trekking or biking holiday. The mountains and gorges of Crete (including the famous Samaria Gorge), the caves, fertile valleys, isolated plains, peninsulas, seashores and beaches are full of plants and wildlife. On your walks you might be lucky and catch a glimpse of one of Crete’s shy, unique animals.

The Cretan wild goat (Capra aegagrus cretica), known as the Agrimi or Kri-kri, is the most famous of Crete’s wild animals. Minoan artists depicted it, and it lives in the White Mountains and the Samaria National Park, and on the islets of Dia, Agioi Pantes and Thodorou. Many people have spotted this shy animal on walks through the Samaria Gorge.

Other mammals on the island include the Cretan Shrew (Crocidura zimmermanni), the Cretan Spiny Mouse (Acomys minous), the Cretan marten (Martes foina bunites), the Cretan badger (Meles meles arcalus) and the very rare Cretan wildcat (Felis silvestris agrius).

Long-distance walking is a good way to see the full range of Crete’s flora and fauna. The E4 European Walking Path is worth walking even in part; it crosses the whole island from Kastelli (Kissamos) in the west to Zakros in the east, over the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Mount Psiloritis (Mount Ida) and Mount Dikti.